My System - Good book for beginners? • page 5/6 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

@pointlesswindows Any particular reason why?

To speak to the title of this thread again... assuming we have similar definitions of "beginner", I cannot recommend My System at that stage.

Rather than repeat what others have said in regard to why, let me quote from the book as an example.

"Section 3. My original conception of positional play as such: the well known idea of the accumulation of small advantages is only of second or third significance; of much greater importance is a prophylactic applied both externally and internally. My new principle of over-protection, it's definition and meaning."

That is the title of section 3 in the second part of the book; the first chapter.

I've been told that this style of writing was not unusual at the time. The background story to understand what "accumulation of small advantages" is and why it is mentioned will be unknown to those I'm assuming are beginners. What a "prophylactic applied both externally and internally" means is explained in the section, but a beginner will find it difficult to understand the explanation because of lack of experience. The "new principle of over-protection" is just that, and its definition is easy to grasp, however an appreciation of its ramifications won't be apparent to a beginner.

Then there are ideas/recommendations in the book that did not pan out in history. For example, Nimzowitsch wanted to get rid of the concept of opposition in King and pawn endgames! The problem from his point of view, was that opposition did not always give the correct move. This is true. He had a replacement which he explains well. But teachers still teach opposition and have incorporated parts of Nimzowitsch's replacement. The reason is obvious - people find it easier to learn rules-of-thumb (like opposition) and then learn exceptions to them. As Silman says in his endgame book, if taking the opposition does not work, then don't do it!

Of course other parts of the book, especially the beginning, are not so obscure to a beginner. But you'd still have that style of writing to contend with.

To speak to the title of this thread again... assuming we have similar definitions of "beginner", I cannot recommend My System at that stage. Rather than repeat what others have said in regard to why, let me quote from the book as an example. "Section 3. My original conception of positional play as such: the well known idea of the accumulation of small advantages is only of second or third significance; of much greater importance is a prophylactic applied both externally and internally. My new principle of over-protection, it's definition and meaning." That is the title of section 3 in the second part of the book; the first chapter. I've been told that this style of writing was not unusual at the time. The background story to understand what "accumulation of small advantages" is and why it is mentioned will be unknown to those I'm assuming are beginners. What a "prophylactic applied both externally and internally" means is explained in the section, but a beginner will find it difficult to understand the explanation because of lack of experience. The "new principle of over-protection" is just that, and its definition is easy to grasp, however an appreciation of its ramifications won't be apparent to a beginner. Then there are ideas/recommendations in the book that did not pan out in history. For example, Nimzowitsch wanted to get rid of the concept of opposition in King and pawn endgames! The problem from his point of view, was that opposition did not always give the correct move. This is true. He had a replacement which he explains well. But teachers still teach opposition and have incorporated parts of Nimzowitsch's replacement. The reason is obvious - people find it easier to learn rules-of-thumb (like opposition) and then learn exceptions to them. As Silman says in his endgame book, if taking the opposition does not work, then don't do it! Of course other parts of the book, especially the beginning, are not so obscure to a beginner. But you'd still have that style of writing to contend with.

Lord-Damianson

#43

@TheBoarShark "How to reassess your chess" by Silman is also a great book! Better than "My System" for beginners IMO... my Favourite part of it.... Psychological Meanderings... a really important part of the book for beginners to read

Tae7 edited

#44

This is irrelevant to the OP’s question however I don’t understand why people are getting triggered over the comment ‘A book by the world's strongest player is worth studying‘. I agree that ‘strong’ players are not necessarily good at conveying ideas effectively but surely It would be interesting to know their thought process and differentiate their strength and weaknesses from reading the book. IMO, In general higher rated players have a better grasp of chess concepts which could mean that if they publish a book it would be more valuable to players that are trying to improve compared to a book written by weaker players as they know exactly what is required in higher level games...Anyway this is just generalisation, in the end it all depends on what people are looking for and what they perceive as important.

Side point- tpr has made a lot of contribution to the forum....I don’t see myself as a complete ‘noob’ lol and I still find some of his advices quite informative except (turn on move confirmation, don’t learn any opening moves etc).Not many people bother to reply to every thread or check out others’ games. I think its good that he does so that ‘I’m stuck on x rating ’, ‘game analysis’ threads don’t get ignored ;).

P.S I’ve read the first few pages of ‘My system’.I think it would be quite hard going for beginners simply cuz of the language.You will prob have to use a chessboard ALOT if you find visualising hard. IM andras Toth’s youtube channel has some good content e.g ‘the amateur’s mind’ series are really informative and the ideas are easy to grasp. It’s really worth checking out!!He never advertises his channel so I’m doing the work for him (jk).

This is irrelevant to the OP’s question however I don’t understand why people are getting triggered over the comment ‘A book by the world's strongest player is worth studying‘. I agree that ‘strong’ players are not necessarily good at conveying ideas effectively but surely It would be interesting to know their thought process and differentiate their strength and weaknesses from reading the book. IMO, In general higher rated players have a better grasp of chess concepts which could mean that if they publish a book it would be more valuable to players that are trying to improve compared to a book written by weaker players as they know exactly what is required in higher level games...Anyway this is just generalisation, in the end it all depends on what people are looking for and what they perceive as important. Side point- tpr has made a lot of contribution to the forum....I don’t see myself as a complete ‘noob’ lol and I still find some of his advices quite informative except (turn on move confirmation, don’t learn any opening moves etc).Not many people bother to reply to every thread or check out others’ games. I think its good that he does so that ‘I’m stuck on x rating ’, ‘game analysis’ threads don’t get ignored ;). P.S I’ve read the first few pages of ‘My system’.I think it would be quite hard going for beginners simply cuz of the language.You will prob have to use a chessboard ALOT if you find visualising hard. IM andras Toth’s youtube channel has some good content e.g ‘the amateur’s mind’ series are really informative and the ideas are easy to grasp. It’s really worth checking out!!He never advertises his channel so I’m doing the work for him (jk).

TheBoarShark

#45

@Lord-Damianson I've got How to Reassess Your Chess, but I've been struggling to take some of his ideas on board.

tpr edited

#46

#42
The second part "positional play" of "My System" is admittedly too advanced for a beginner, but the first part "the elements" is as the title says elementary, i.e. suitable for a beginner. So my advice would be to study part 1 of "My System", and later come back for part 2. Part 1 explains all the elements particularly well. All the elements of opening, middle game, and endgame are very clearly explained. Instead of the opposition he explains the same with his broader concept of blockade. The king goes to the blockade square and if he must leave that to the reserve blockade square.
You can discuss about style of writing, typography... Part 2 also contains some polemics, where he criticizes Tarrasch...

I would prefer "My System" or "Chess Fundamentals" over the cited alternatives.

#42 The second part "positional play" of "My System" is admittedly too advanced for a beginner, but the first part "the elements" is as the title says elementary, i.e. suitable for a beginner. So my advice would be to study part 1 of "My System", and later come back for part 2. Part 1 explains all the elements particularly well. All the elements of opening, middle game, and endgame are very clearly explained. Instead of the opposition he explains the same with his broader concept of blockade. The king goes to the blockade square and if he must leave that to the reserve blockade square. You can discuss about style of writing, typography... Part 2 also contains some polemics, where he criticizes Tarrasch... I would prefer "My System" or "Chess Fundamentals" over the cited alternatives.

CM Sarg0n

#47

This weird style backfired when Kmoch concocted this lampoon:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/the-immortal-overprotection-game

This weird style backfired when Kmoch concocted this lampoon: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/the-immortal-overprotection-game

?

Yup, agreed. Being a GM doesn't confer educational ability. My favorite chess author is Irving Chernev - not a GM.

His "Logical Chess Move by Move" has sold more than any chess book by a GM, as far as I know.

That said, there are some books written by GMs which are very readable and classic : "Masters of the Chessboard" by Reti is one.
Also, Andy Soltis is a GM and has many readable, educational books.

I don't know why Tal's books are so popular - I find his writing to be bad.

@king-Monti Yup, agreed. Being a GM doesn't confer educational ability. My favorite chess author is Irving Chernev - not a GM. His "Logical Chess Move by Move" has sold more than any chess book by a GM, as far as I know. That said, there are some books written by GMs which are very readable and classic : "Masters of the Chessboard" by Reti is one. Also, Andy Soltis is a GM and has many readable, educational books. I don't know why Tal's books are so popular - I find his writing to be bad.

tpr

#50

#47
Humility was not Nimzovich' forte. Anyhow Nimzovich was in 1929 arguable the strongest player in the world and Kmoch decidedly was not. In his excuse Nimzovich partly wrote his books to substantiate his claim to challenge Alekhine for the world title despite him being unable to raise the money.

If you prefer humilty, then "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca may be more to your taste.
While Nimzovich illustrated his system with his won games, Capablanca included in his "Chess Fundamentals" nearly all games he had lost up to the time of writing.

#47 Humility was not Nimzovich' forte. Anyhow Nimzovich was in 1929 arguable the strongest player in the world and Kmoch decidedly was not. In his excuse Nimzovich partly wrote his books to substantiate his claim to challenge Alekhine for the world title despite him being unable to raise the money. If you prefer humilty, then "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca may be more to your taste. While Nimzovich illustrated his system with his won games, Capablanca included in his "Chess Fundamentals" nearly all games he had lost up to the time of writing.